El Salvador is a Central American country that few people know about.
But it has a particularity that many countries in the world do not have.
Indeed, this country has banned phytosanitary products from large multinational seed companies, such as Monsanto.
El Salvador decided to carry out its own agricultural revolution.
Objective:to promote the cultivation of local seeds.
Since this bet was taken, the agricultural sector has never been better!
Its productivity but also its durability have increased. Explanations:
It all started in September 2013 when El Salvador, a major producer of coffee, corn and sugar cane, banned 53 crop protection products for agricultural use.
Among the products that have gone junk is the infamous Roundup, Monsanto's leading weedkiller, containing glyphosate.
Remember that the World Health Organization (WHO) ended up classifying this product in the category "probable carcinogen".
Concerning 400,000 producer families, the Family Farming Plan (FAP), initiated by President Mauricio Funes in 2011, was then intended to preserve local seeds and relaunch agricultural production.
For the farmers, this plan was a great opportunity to finally put an end to their dependence on international firms, their biotechnologies and GMOs, while preserving the local agricultural heritage.
Before the FAP, the Salvadoran agricultural sector was struggling to emerge from the crisis.
Its dependence on hybrid seeds from Monsanto, Pioneer and other agribusiness giants was very important.
According to the news site, The Seattle Globalis , 75% of corn and 85% of beans were imported.
Before the cultivation of sterile GMO seeds was the most important part of agriculture.
Coming from abroad, these genetically modified seeds were not adapted to the particular characteristics of the local territories.
As a direct consequence, the use of phytosanitary products was essential.
El Salvador wanted to put an end to this food and economic expenditure.
By turning its back on the multinational seed companies to cultivate local seeds again, the country wanted to regain its agricultural sovereignty.
18 million dollars have been invested to develop a seed, H59 maize, within the National Center for Agricultural and Forestry Technology (CENTA).
A local variety, this maize has the particularity of better resisting drought and adapting well to Salvadoran land.
The 400,000 local producers were able to benefit from it.
The bet seems successful. According to the Natural Society website, agriculture in the country is developing.
Since phytosanitary products have been banned, the country has recorded the best harvests for a long time.
A question, however, remains. Even if the locally produced H59 maize is better adapted to local growing conditions, the fact remains that it is a hybrid and sterile seed.
What will be the future and sustainability of the FAP?
